Delgado Awarded $1.4 Million for LPN-to-RN Evening and Weekend Pilot Program through LDH H.E.R.O. Fund and Ochsner Health

May 21, 2025

Delgado Community College’s Charity School of Nursing has received $1.4 million from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) H.E.R.O. Fund and Ochsner Health to launch a new evening and weekend LPN-to-RN track. This flexible program allows Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to become Registered Nurses (RNs) while continuing to work.

Established in 2021, the Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund supports training initiatives that address Louisiana’s growing need for healthcare professionals.

“This investment from the H.E.R.O. Fund and Ochsner Health allows Delgado to meet a critical need by launching an evening and weekend LPN-to-RN track, giving nurses a flexible path to advance while continuing to work,” said Dr. Larissa Littleton-Steib, Chancellor of Delgado Community College. “Delgado produces 48% of nursing graduates in the New Orleans region. With growing shortages and 40% of nurses expected to retire in five years, this funding helps us expand and strengthen Louisiana’s healthcare workforce.”

Designed for working professionals, the program offers evening and weekend classes, academic advising, mentorship, and financial aid. Its goal is to expand access to nursing education and support career advancement for LPNs.

“We are incredibly proud to launch this pilot program through the support of the H.E.R.O. Fund and our partnership with Ochsner Health,” said Jennifer Fernandez, Dean of Delgado’s Charity School of Nursing. “This evening and weekend LPN-to-RN track is a vital step toward expanding access to nursing education for working professionals. By offering flexible scheduling, financial support, and hands-on mentorship, we’re not only helping LPNs advance their careers, we’re also strengthening the healthcare workforce our communities rely on every day.”

Ochsner Health will provide an in-kind match that includes adjunct faculty, tuition support, and stipends to help reduce costs for students. Delgado and Ochsner aim to graduate 24 new RNs by 2027, with plans to grow the program over time.

"Ochsner Health is honored to expand our partnership with Delgado Community College through this vital program. With support from the Louisiana Department of Health's H.E.R.O. Fund, the night and weekend LPN to RN pathway creates new possibilities for our LPNs to grow as nurses while continuing to care for the patients who depend on them,” said Missy Hopson, Senior Vice President and Chief Learning and Workforce Development Officer. “This effort is more than workforce development. It is a powerful investment in the people who provide compassionate care every day and in the health of our communities."

This initiative builds on Delgado’s established partnerships and reflects the College’s continued commitment to collaborative partnerships that strengthen Louisiana’s workforce.